(Karakura Town)
The next morning came and the search for the Shinenju and the Ryodoji clan started again. Isshin left for Soul Society to help plan with the other captains while his seated squad members took over the search. Ichigo and Senna went back to the train station, being the first located sighting of the Blanks en masse. The place became crowded with most of the people walking around, almost aimlessly.
"I'm bored~!" Senna whined. "How much longer are we going to stay here?" They were waiting for fifteen minutes.
"This is where those blanks first showed up, remember?" Ichigo stated, scanning the groups of people. 'It's not usually this crowed around this time. What's happening?' He wondered as he watched the blank expressions of the people as they walked by. "Anyway, stay close to me. Which would work better if you'd stop running off on your own." He said, turning to find her already gone. "Why am I not surprised." He said before following her trail of spirit threads. "Did you forget that you were attacked last night?" Ichigo asked, stopping when he saw Senna talking to a soul of a crying child, trying to comfort him.
"He says his name's Tomoya." Senna explained when she noticed Ichigo. "Said his father and him were going to the festival in their car. He took a nap and when he woke up, he was all alone." She explained the story the crying boy just conveyed to her.
"He's probably in Heaven by now." Ichigo said to the kid.
"No he's not!" Tomoya argued. "He's out there looking for me right now! I know he is!"
"Then how about Ichigo and I help you look for him?" Senna suggested. "We'll all find him together." Ichigo groaned at getting stuck babysitting two children now. They started off toward where Tomoya said his father would be waiting.
"Senna?" Ichigo called to the girl. "Aren't we in the middle of something?" He said, trying to remind her about the attack and the Blanks.
"Don't we also have no leads?" She countered, shutting the hybrid up. "Besides, Soul Reapers are supposed to help. Aren't we?" She said with a smile before continuing to follow the young boy.
"She's not wrong." He muttered before joining the two as they proceeded on the long walk to wherever the festival was supposed to be. They spent a couple of hours searching the city, Senna's infectious energy and cheer pushing him to continue the journey without complaint. All the leads and searching eventually led to a shrine at the top of a hill. "Why are you trying so hard?" Ichigo finally asked Senna when they saw the paper lanterns. "You had no guarantee that there was a festival or that his dad would still be around."
"It's going to be a long journey for that kid." Senna replied instantly, giving a melancholic smile. "This is his last wish before that trip, so I'd like to see him off with a smile. I can't bear to perform a Konso on a scared little kid like that." She said in a surprising moment of maturity. They entered the shrine, Senna helping Tomoya look for his father while Ichigo watched the crowd of people aimlessly wandering about.
'This isn't right.' He thought to himself as the kid's father found them, getting into a tearful reunion. 'They seem like they're talking, but I can't hear anything. It's almost as if they're... no.' He heard the father and child say their final piece.
"I guess you were so wrapped up in helping Tomoya that you didn't even notice." The father said with a smile. "All the souls that are gathered here, I was able to find this place thanks to them." Ichigo's eyes widened.
'These people are souls?' He continued to think, coming closer to an answer that he didn't want. 'They don't have Soul Chains, they seem to be moving about aimlessly. What if we couldn't find any Blanks because they didn't look like Blanks!" He thought back to the shopping plaza and how it seemed to clear out while he and Senna was on the Ferris Wheel, the train station that was crowded during at an odd time that day, and now here. What if they were all Blanks? That would mean that Senna had the Shinenju... or worse, IS the Shinenju. He asked Yamamoto a while ago about his time alive. To the ancient captain's knowledge, no Shinigami could remember their time alive. The process of Reincarnation washes away past memories by the time they fully become Shinigami.
"Don't you understand?" Tomoya said as father and son began glowing, signaling their passage to the next life. "They're here because of you. I'm surprised you didn't know. If it wasn't for you, they wouldn't be here." The boy explained as the two expressed their thanks one last time. Ichigo cursed as his suspicions were confirmed, his hand going for his Shinigami badge.
"Why me?" He heard Senna ask in a shaky voice, scared at the idea of whatever was going on. "Why are they all attracted to me?" Ichigo turned to her as she looked at him with frightened eyes. "Ichigo. I think... I must be... is it true?" Ichigo put away his badge before pulling the scared girl in for a hug.
"Senna." He said, rubbing her back soothingly. "Your memories, are they-" He attempted to ask before a Senkaimon opened up. Through it came Soi-Fon with a few of her patrol force, Urahara with Nemu in tow, Renji, Rukia, and Ukitake. "What's the news?" He asked, almost knowing what was happening. Renji stepped forward and delivered the report.
"We're acting on a level one order from the Captain Commander. Ichigo, you are relieved from active duty of protecting the Shinenju and are now to find and stop the Ryodoji clan from whatever it is they're planning. Now hand over the girl." He said sternly, almost threateningly in his tone, like he wasn't happy about it himself. Nemu stepped forward to deliver her report.
"After an extensive scan of the Gotei 15, Kido Corps, Onmitsukido, as well as Shin'o Academy a total of ten times, there has been no mention of any Shinigami named Senna or matching this girl's description." The artificial life explained robotically. "The Zanpakuto, Mirokumaru, was the registered Zanpakuto of a Soul Reaper from a century ago that was sucked away by the restrictive current within the Dangai over a century ago. All evidence points to the Shinigami, Senna, being the Shinenju." Senna gasped in shock and tried to protest their claims.
"That can't be, what you're saying isn't true!" She said, almost like she's trying to convince herself more than anything. "I am a Soul Reaper, I just know I am!" Suddenly Urahara was in front of her, his hand on her shoulder and making her flinch.
"Tell me," He said in his most gentle tones, "what do you remember about your life? When did you come to the world of the Living?" She looked up at him hesitantly as he smiled down. "It's okay, we won't hurt you." She took a breath to settle herself as she talked about what she did recall.
"I remember walking by the banks of that river two days ago. I know my name is Senna." She said confidently, a confidence that waned as she talked. "When I was a little girl I-" she grasped her head, almost as if remembering hurt. "then I was alone."
"It's alright. Breath Senna." Urahara advised calmly. "Ichigo, this girl is in fact the Shinenju and she's in grave danger." He explained to his favored student. "Ganryu is using the Blanks to draw the two worlds together to collide and mutually destroy each other. If he gets his hands on her then he'll be able to accelerate his plans three fold. We need to get her to safety as soon as possible." He said, knowing Ichigo's usual though process.
"But what gives you the right to-" She attempted to ask before the captain cut her off again.
"Yes, right now she has thoughts and feelings." Urahara acknowledged before continuing with the practical argument. "All of which don't matter in the slightest if Ganryu gets his hands on her. She's the cornerstone to his plans to destroy the two worlds. So understand if we don't give her a choice in this matter either. It's either, treat her as a person or risk losing her to the enemy." Ichigo was conflicted, he understood the gravity of the situation, but he couldn't stand the thought of Senna being locked away, no matter the reasoning. It was then he remembered some crucial details. They were surrounded by Blanks and their current enemies can appear out of thin air.
"Move!" He yelled, expelling his soul as the Ryodoji clan members came falling out of the sky and the people around them turned into the white form of the Blanks. "Aw damn it!" He cursed, pulling out his blade. One of the falling opponents released several missile like projectiles between the two groups, making them leap away from each other. Kon stayed near Senna, taking the protective role while his master prepared to fight. The first to come after him was Jai. "Didn't learn from last time did ya?"
"A minor setback." Jai said with a grin as Blanks flew towards his missing limb, slowly reforming it to its previous state. "You won't beat me so-" He said before Ichigo blew up both of his arms with the same technique as last time.
"Not impressed. I can do the 'regrow limbs' thing too." Ichigo said as the man glared at him. "Difference is, I'm better at it." He then kicked Jai across the face and through a couple of trees. He saw the other Soul Reapers fighting off either the Blanks or the exiled clan members. The strange weapons of the green clad enemy kept the Soul Reapers surprised and distracted. "Not dealing with this crap. Limit one, release!" Ichigo called out, breaking the first seal of his power. Everyone felt the increase in his strength as swarms of Blanks tried to attack him, only to be swept away with a single swing of his blade. Unfortunately, a good number of them went after Senna as well. Kon was able to fend them off easily with his enhanced reflexes and implanted martial arts skills letting him dance through and strike down every Blank with ease, but got separated from Senna as well, who was going after the white haired leader of the entire assault.
'I AM a Soul Reaper!' She cried out in her mind. 'I'll prove it!' She thought as she exited her body and jumped to attack the man stood watching over the entire attack. "Bring them to the Twilight!" She called out, following Ichigo's advice and not holding back. "Mirokumaru!" She charged valiently, just as Ganryu turned and slammed his fist into her gut.
"Thank you for coming to me." He said with a cocky smile, looking at her like a thing rather than a person. "It saves me the trouble of dealing with these Soul Reapers."
"The fallen clan of Ryodoji!" Ukitake growled, glaring at the man that sought nothing but destruction.
"I know nothing of that." He spoke, looking down on the assembled Shinigami that were still fighting of thousands of Blanks. "We are from the clan of darkness. The Dark Ones."
"That name is stupid." Ichigo said, appearing behind them. "Now drop Senna." He growled, flaring his Reiatsu. Just then, hundreds of Blanks flew at Ichigo and covered him in explosions. The ones on the ground began to follow suit, just as they were being attacked. A rain of light arrows and balls of fire struck down on them just as much as they exploded, a giant orange shield carrying the Soul Reapers to safety. "That tickled." Ichigo said, sweeping away the cloud of smoke that surrounded him. The Dark Ones began to charge at Ichigo, who bypassed them all and appeared in front of Ganryu. Reishi surrounding his blade as he prepared to destroy the man responsible for the attack, until he hesitated. Memories of killing Ginjo and Tsukishima flashed in his head yet again, how easy it was, how little was left, what would happen to his friends. The second he saw Senna's scared face made him pause, and the Dark Ones took that chance, running him through with every blade in their disposal.
"Ichigo!" Senna cried out, just as she and Ganryu faded into the darkness and out of his reach. Ichigo watched as she was taken, roaring in anger as he slashed in a full circle, seriously injuring each Dark One within reach of Zangetsu as they fled. Seconds later, Ichigo was fully healed and furious. They took Senna because he was still dealing with his trauma. The Living world and Soul Society are at risk, and he failed to stop it. He was not looking forward to this lecture from Genryusai.
(Soul Society: Captain's Meeting)
"Completely unacceptable!" Yamamoto yelled at the young hybrid, every captain flanking down both sides, ending with Tessai standing opposite to the ancient commander. Barely an hour passed after Senna was taken. "You had the chance, right in front of you, and you hesitated. If you had swung your blade, you could have ended this whole mess right then and there. The Shinenju-"
"Her name is Senna." Ichigo grumbled, angry at the disregard for the girl's rights as a person.
"That doesn't matter!" He roared at the boy, trying to convey the gravity of the matter. "The Dark Ones have her and can now accelerate their plans to destroy everything."
"Captain Commander, he's still just a boy." Isshin spoke out in defense of his son, to which Toshiro coughed loudly. "He's fifteen, he's still not ready to kill as easily as the rest of us."
"Sentimentality will get you killed on the battlefield Isshin." Urahara responded. "In this case, Ichigo failed his mission and put so much more at risk because of it."
"Now drastic measures must be taken." Yamamoto said wearily. "Urahara, what is the situation?" He said, consulting one of his smartest officers. Urahara straightened out and delivered his report.
"The original rate of expansion would have the Valley of Screams reach it's critical point within six hours." He said, bringing up a three dimensional map of the Valley. "However, with the Shinenju and proper placement, that rate increases to give us almost two hours. If left alone, the collision between Soul Society and the Living world would see the destruction of one, if not both worlds." The news left a heavy tone among everyone in the room.
"Commander Tsukabishi," Tessai straightened out as the head captain called on him, "prepare the Kido cannon." Everyone in the room was split between agreeing and disagreeing with the plan. Ichigo clenched his fists in anger, at himself, the Dark Ones, and his sensei for making this call. "Lieutenant Kurosaki." Yamamoto said, making the hybrid look his aged teacher in his eyes. "Make no mistake that your hesitation has forced my hand. However, I will not stop you from going to the Valley and Screams if you wish." He said, surprising everyone in attendance. "You will be by yourself, no member of the Gotei will join you. If you are still in there by the time we must fire the cannon, it will still be shot. Do I make myself clear?" He said as Ichigo took in his teacher's words. Save her if you wish, but don't expect this to stop. Ichigo knew what he was going to do.
"To you all, she's the Shinenju." Ichigo said, steeling his resolve. "To me, she's a member of squad 15. I will protect my squad members." He flicked his hand in the air, opening a cleanly made Garganta, and charged through it.
"Master, are you sure about this!?" Ukitake cried out in concern. "Ichigo is still just a child!" Yamamoto merely smiled.
"Juushiro, is your faith in your junior disciple truly so weak?" He asked, confusing the sickly man.
"Ichigo's too stubborn to let one loss stop him." Urahara said, sharing the old man's confidence. "Once he's set his mind on something, he'll do it no matter what barriers stand in his way."
"Really, it's a question of which is more merciful. Ichigo or that cannon." Isshin continued.
"Still, now's a good time to test our latest project!" Urahara said cheerfully. "May we?" Yamamoto nodded.
"They are not members of the Gotei after all."
(Karakura Town)
Ichigo stood on the bridge, looking down on the entrance to the Valley of Screams. Chad's patrol found it yesterday during their patrols but thought nothing of it at the time. Now, Ichigo had his destination, his mission, and his determination. This time, he would save Senna.
"Are you sure about this sir?" One of the squad members asked Uryu. "Letting the lieutenant go in alone." Ichigo tilted forward and fell into the shining portal.
"He'll be fine." Uryu said, just before they all heard the same thing.
"Limits one and two, release." A crushing pressure appeared and faded in an instant as Ichigo crossed dimensions.
(Illustrated Guide to Soul Reapers!)
Riruka's Eyes
"And now, time to remove the bandages." Urahara said as they began to unwrap the gauze from around the Fullbringer's head. After a week for her new eyes to settle in, they decided to witness the end result. Ichigo and the other Fullbringers were in attendance for the grand unveiling in the hospital room. After a tense few seconds, they finally got the wrapping off and let Riruka slowly open her eyes. Everyone took in the sight of Riruka's electrified pink iris as they handed her a mirror.
"Y-you actually did it." She stuttered, taking in her new eyes in confused elation. Not sure if it's what she really wanted.
"I like it." Ichigo stated. "Matches your hair." She looked at the hybrid, and got her first real good look at him.
'What a hottie!' She screamed in her head, while everyone gasped.
"Well, that failed." Urahara said. "You specifically said, hearts. These, are stars." He put the mirror in front of her, only to see star-shaped pupils before returning to normal. Now all she felt was dread. "Oh well, time to try again." He said, picking up a scalpel.
"KEEP HIM AWAY FROM ME!"
Ishida's Memories
Uryu came home after a night of patrolling Karakura, dealing with weak Hollows, helping instruct new recruits, it was just a rough week for him. He came home to a dark house and his parents asleep on the couch with the light from their television illuminating them. His father laying on his back with his mother snuggling up to him, finding warmth in her husband. Uryu smiled, happy to actually see this image when he and his father struggled for so long in training. He walked over and pulled a blanket over the two, wishing them goodnight. Then he saw what they were watching, his parents in bed, disheveled and bare.
"So what should we name her?" His mother asked on screen, patting her stomach.
"Decided on a girl huh?" His father responded, hugging her close. Uryu turned off the TV and pulled out the tape. It was labeled, 'Honeymoon'.
"Must destroy." He growled. "Must bleach brain."